American Government Chapter 1 Terms/Central Ideas

What is government?

Any system of public rule/authority

If a government strives to be truly just, it must...

Commit to God-honoring rule over citizens (in other words, rule in the fear of God)

What does it mean for humans to be made in God's image?

Every person has been given characteristics of God

What are the specific characteristics of God that people have?

Reason, moral capacity, spirituality, emotion, and sociability

What is the Creation Mandate?

It is God's first command to His people to rule over the earth and have dominion over it (the specific Bible verse is Genesis 1:28)

Does God want His people to carry out the Creation Mandate in the same way?

He didn't intend for everyone to do it the same way (or fulfill the command in the same capacity)

What is human depravity?

The tainting of God's image in people (the specific parts of a person's being that are twisted are the mind, will, and emotions)

What is anarchy?

The absence of government (a horrific thing, really--)

What is justice?

The act of giving someone proper consequences/rewards under the law (this means that people are not overly punished for something small or let "off the hook" for a crime or violation. It also means that if people obey the law, they receive good consequences).

Should governments punish every wrong action committed?

Some wrongdoings do not involve the government and will receive proper punishment from other people or groups. So no, they should not (for example, if a child disobeys his mother, it's not the government's role to discipline the child. That is the responsibility of the parents)

What is righteousness?

Conformity (another word would be "obedience") to a standard and conformity to God's character

What are the five obligations of the government?

1. Ensuring justice

2. Providing national defense and public safety

3. Addressing poverty

4. Promoting moral behavior

5. Providing order

How should governments properly provide security for their people?

They should enforce just laws, protect their people from foreign invasions, and assist when natural disasters and emergencies strike

How should governments properly address poverty?

They should offer poverty programs that encourage the poor to work for the money; this prevents people from getting free money without putting in effort

True or False: Moral codes do not influence the morals of a nation

False

What are the five obligations of the governed?

1. Praying for government officials

2. Participating in government-related events

3. Submitting to the law

4. Witnessing to officials

True or False: Understanding the structure, mechanics, and operation of government is a crucial step towards effective participation in government

True

What goes together with witnessing to government officials?

Confronting them about their disobedience to God

What is patriotism?

Love and devotion to one's country